The Ministry of Health is urging the public to take adequate precautions against flu-like illnesses after noting an increase in reports of Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) in the Northern Division.
There has also been an increase in Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and ILI from divisional health centers and sub-divisional hospitals over the last two weeks in the Cakaudrove and Bua health subdivisions, and to a lesser extent in the Macuata health division.
Signs and symptoms of influenza includes sudden onset of fever, dry and severe cough that lasts up to two weeks, headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise, sore throat and runny nose.
An increase in respiratory illness is expected to be experienced in the first few months of the year.
Those with persisting and severe symptoms should visit the nearest health care facility for appropriate treatment and members of the public are advised to practice good respiratory etiquette when coughing or sneezing.
